Mr Onslow Ernest Whiting

Born 4 June 1872Died 4 August 1937

Active: 1891 - 1937

Country of birth and death: England

Sculptor, silversmith, goldsmith, jeweller, teacher

Born in Shoreditch, London. His father was a house decorator and his mother, who became head of the family when Onslow was quite young, worked as a dressmaker. All his siblings were put to work in the tailoring trade. However by 1905 he was successful enough to build a house in Letchworth which was designed by the Scottish architect, Albert Randall Wells (1877-1942). Whiting added a studio in 1910 to a design by the Leicester-based architect, Cecil Horace Hignett (1879-1960).

Between about 1901-27 Whiting worked as a teacher of silversmithing and goldsmithing, metal casting, modelling, etc. at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, London. Known works by him include Letchworth's memorial to the fallen of the First World War, which is located in Station Place (unveiled 11 December 1921). In 1928-9 Whiting visited north Africa (Tangiers) and c.1937 travelled to South America. He lived in Cornwall for the last decade of his life but died at St Catherine's Nursing Home, Letchworth and was buried locally in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin.

Details of the war memorial are given at: http://www.ukniwm.org.uk/server/show/conMemorial.1168/fromUkniwmSearch/1 (accessed 11 December 2012). This record includes information submitted by Philippa Parker.

Wealth at death: £3,981 17s. 6d.
Probate date: 16 November 1937

Works

Dates are usually the year a work was exhibited so may differ from date of production. New entries have been made each time a work was exhibited. Click here for more information.

Address 1 Norton Road Letchworth | View on map 1905 (Circa) - 1911 (Circa)Whiting built this house about 1905 and added a studio in 1910. There are two stained glass windows and an incomplete relief of St George and the dragon. In 1911 he was living here with his mother and sisters.

Institutional and Business Connections

Invited to join Royal Society of British Sculptors2 March 1905 - 3 April 1905Amongst the suggested second wave of those invited to join 'without further nomination' [2 March 1905, Royal Society of British Sculptors, Minutes of Council Meetings, Vol.I]: but name removed from list following further discussion at next meeting [3 April 1905, Royal Society of British Sculptors, Minutes of Council Meetings, Vol.I]

Member of Royal Society of British Sculptors 1920 - 1931Amongst the second wave of those invited to join 'without further nomination' [2 March 1905, Royal Society of British Sculptors, Minutes of Council Meetings, Vol.I]. Did not join until 1920

Teacher at Central School of Arts and Crafts September 1901 - June 1927Listed as a teacher of 'Silversmiths' and Goldsmiths' work (large and small), Jeweller's work, Chasing, Engraving, Carving, Special Modelling Class for Goldsmiths and Silversmiths, Moulding and Casting in Metal, Preparation of Working Drawings for Silversmiths and Metal Workers'from 1901 onwards.
From 1906 Whiting also taught in the 'Technical Day School for Boys. Preparatory to the Silversmiths' and Allied Trades'.
From 1908 he is listed as joint supervisor of the department of 'Silversmiths' Work and Allied Crafts' and as teacher of design, modelling and metal casting in this department, and as teacher in the day technical school.
Whiting is not listed as a teacher at the school between September 1916 and June 1920. He is listed again from September 1920 as a teacher of design for silversmiths' jewellery and of silversmiths' modelling.
Last listed in the 1926-1927 prospectus.